The Emory University softball team fell to the University of Chicago Maroons on Friday afternoon in the series opener in Chicago, Illinois.
 
The Eagles hold a 23-5 record on the season and fall to 7-3 in conference play after going 1-2 against the No. 15 Case Western Reserve Spartans. Junior Ella Hoyle led the way for Emory offensively with two RBI and a home run while sophomore Ellie Zerr brought in the first run of the game for the Eagles.
 
In Emory fashion, the Eagles struck first in the top of the first inning with junior Ashley Chu reaching base after an error from the Maroons' defense. After advancing to third, Chu was brought home for the first run of the game on an RBI single to right field from Zerr.
 
Emory scored again in the top of the third inning with Chu reaching on another error from Chicago to start the inning. Hoyle drove a long home run to left center to take a 3-0 lead over the Maroons after three innings of work.
 
Chicago added their first run of the game in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI double forcing a pitching change from the Eagles. They later tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with another RBI double but Emory finished the inning stranding a runner. The Maroons walked off the game in the bottom of the seventh with a leadoff home run to center field.
 
The two teams will face off again in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 12 with the first game beginning at 1:00 PM EST.